no one except the republicans oppose closing these loopholes, these tax loopholes. it is only the republicans in congress that oppose them, not republicans around the country. these loopholes are so big, you could drive the biggest vehicle in the world through them, mr. president. but we're where we are. despite the cost of the republican shutdown this fall, last week's jobs report proves the american economy continues to gain steam. private sector businesses have added more than eight million jobs over the last 45 consecutive months. if kweupbsz -- republicans insisted on short-term cuts that laid off teachers, firefighters, the economy would be growing even faster than it is today. mr. president, the presiding officer knows, we all know that we need an infrastructure program. for every $1 billion we spend as a government on infrastructure, roads, bridges, dams, highways, water systems, sewer systems, we create almost 50 thousand high-paying jobs. despite last week's good economic news, congress can and must do even more to create jobs for millions of americans who